Classic autos from Volo to star in 'Gatsby' film

By Andrew L. Wang | Tribune reporterMay 11, 2011

(Museum…)

Just as Nick Carraway left his home in the Midwest for the bright lights of the city, two classic cars from a local dealer are bound for the bright lights of Hollywood for a production of "The Great Gatsby."

The makers of the film, which is slated for release in 2012, purchased two 1929 Duesenbergs from the Volo Auto Museum last week, said director Brian Grams.

Grams declined to say how much the classic autos went for, but said "these are seven-digit vehicles."

The cars will be put in a container and shipped to Australia next week for filming, he said. The museum is also in negotiations to sell a 1929 Packard for the film, though that sale hasn't been finalized.

According to IMDB.com, the film will star Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby and Toby Maguire as Carraway. Australian director Baz Luhrmann is listed as director and screenwriter.

F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel is set in 1920s New York and tells the story of Carraway, the narrator, as he moves next door to Gatsby and becomes absorbed into the latter's prodigal lifestyle.

Grams said he wasn't told which parts of the film the cars would appear.

"From my understanding," he said, "these guys were bought to be used in scenes with Leonardo DiCaprio."